sha81

Hi,
My 05 MDX runs well, no lights, no slipping, it shifts hard from I guess 3rd-4th or could be 2nd-3rd gear. It will lock rev hard to end and then changes the gear with a slight bump/push. You don't feel it powerless or slipping. I mean it supposed to shift to next gear at early rev but it will shift hard at last rev taking the current gear fully to the end. Any idea about the issue?
Thank you

R J Poseidon 6

Welcome to the Forum.

Our MDX's transmissions are made of glass so be careful.
Do some searches around here and you'll see what I mean.

1st thing most peeps will ask is: have you replace the fluid? Recommended every 30k

Illustro

Yeah the fluid is important to change on these and it is a 3x fill and drain to get most of the fluid out, yes that mesns doing it 3 times. I just do that at a Honda dealer to save a few dollars. I set up 3 appointments spaced out over a few days. I did notice way smoother shifting after that.

You can also try driving in D3 or D4 which will just let the transmission shift into the gear specified and not higher. D4 simply doesn't let the transmission shift in to 5th gear. D3 will not shift into 4th gear.

My MDX has a harsh torque converter lock up when the car reaches 5th gear while driving rather slowly like 35-40mph so I just stick to using D4 unless I'm on the highway and it's been fine driving this way the last 2 years. It seems to be the design of the torque converters it doesn't necessarily mean there is a mechanical issue.
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sha81

Mine is just like if you driving a manual vehilce and take the 2nd gear to full end/rev and then suddenly shift to the next 3rd gear. You can say it's a delayed shift but no feeling of neutral or losing power in between.

sha81

Can I add the fluid throught the dip stick hole with a narrow funnel? I don't have tools to get through the bolt, and the fluid is low, I don't want to drive it before filling it. Thanks

Illustro

I add fluid using the dipstick as well. You just need to give the fluid some time to settle down before checking level and adding more so you don't overfill.